Valentine’s Day has arrived, and you find yourself single. While you’ve mostly come to terms with this reality, as you stroll through the grocery store aisles, you might wonder if Cupid is indeed smirking at you. But it doesn’t need to be a day of misery and dread. Elevate yourself above the stereotype and embrace the beauty and elegance of this special season.
I’m a hopeless romantic. Unfortunately, I’m also hopelessly single. I’m twenty-six-years-old and despite my best efforts I haven’t had much luck in the realm of romance or relationships. Even with getting out and going to church activities and school clubs in an effort to meet young men, most of my weekend evenings are spent at home, reading classics like Jane Eyre, painting fairytale castles, or watching British sketch comedy.
Yet, despite my near-constant state of singleness, I’m still a major fan and advocate of Valentine’s Day. My mom thinks it’s odd how much I love the holiday when without fail I’m always alone for it, but Valentine’s Day is too beautiful of an opportunity to waste just because I’m single. There’s just something magical about the pink hues and feeling of romance bringing warmth and light in the cold, dreary month of February. Whether you prefer cute vibes or an elegant aesthetic, the day undoubtedly holds a timeless sense of wonder.
So, it’s time to defy the stereotype of spending Valentine’s Day sobbing on a couch and watching low-caliber chick-flicks while getting sick from cheap chocolate. Even if you don’t yet have a special someone to celebrate the day with, you can still relish the pretty aesthetic and cherish the loving relationships you already have. Some of the best ways to enjoy the day is bringing cheer to other people who may be struggling with loneliness.
Here are some ideas to celebrate the holiday in your own classy, alone-but-not-lonely way:
Give pink carnations to ladies at an assisted living center
Cheering up some lovely elderly women who would likely appreciate a visit is an affordable way to make a positive impact. If you haven’t visited a retirement home before, don’t worry! In my experience, residents there generally feel lonely and are almost always delighted to welcome visitors, even if they’re strangers. Stepping outside your comfort zone will prove to be a rewarding effort.
Send a platonic letter, complete with a wax seal, to someone you cherish
Send Valentine’s Day cheer to someone in need of an emotional pick-me-up with this elegant gesture. Old-fashioned perhaps, but never antiquated, letters are an intentional and permanent way to meaningfully express one’s love and friendship. I once sent a Valentine’s letter to my widowed great-grandma, and she kept it on her refrigerator for years. It’s a clichéd piece of advice, but genuinely, the best way to feel happy is by making someone else happy.
Write a letter to your future special someone
Romance thrives in mystery. Enjoy the romance and anticipation of not knowing who your sweetheart-for-life is yet. Tell him what’s going on in your life, what you hope your future relationship will be like, and something quirky about yourself. Express how much you miss him and look forward to meeting him. It’s almost embarrassing how many letters I have written for my future someone, but it helps me feel romantic even when I don’t have a love yet. It’s like I’m building our relationship even though we haven’t yet met.
Bring frosted brownies or another sweet treat to share with your co-workers
Let’s face it. Early morning workdays require the occasional pick-me-up. Chocolate decadence topped with light pastel pink and lilac frosting is sure to sweeten your co-workers’ day and yours too. Don’t forget the finishing touches like candy pearls and sparkly sprinkles to make it extra elegant! Bonus points for serving it on a pretty tray or dish.
Now that we’ve discussed ways to brighten the day by thinking of others, here are some ways to treat yourself this Valentine’s Day:
Girl, dress up!
Put on your best dress, saved for special occasions and romantic nights out. Break out that passionate crimson or indulge in a sophisticated hairdo a-la Audrey Hepburn. Even if you don’t have a special someone to dress up for, you can still enjoy feeling pretty.
Get some quality chocolate.
Don’t waste your workout on the cheap stuff. You deserve to treat yourself to the finer things on this day! Perhaps stop by The Little Bakery in the indisputably charming town of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Or visit a local Kilwins for an affordable, but delicious treat.
Find some sophisticated decor
As a kid, Valentine’s decor meant hand-drawn flowers on a shoe box and glitter. Yet, as an adult the holiday doesn’t need to be replete with garish or juvenile decorations like a second-grade Valentine’s Day party. Visit places like Kirklands or TJ MAXX to purchase tasteful decorations in rosy pinks and dusty purples. I personally own a collection of black, white, and red pillows and throw blankets that cause people to thrill when they visit.
Better yet, crochet some delicate doilies, or order yourself a bouquet of flowers to adorn your mantle. If you live local to Habersham, I suggest visiting L and D Florist for a spray of peonies or an arrangement of lilies and daisies. Imagine candlelight refracting from a crystal vase showcasing a posy of flowers. Peak aesthetic.
Listen as viral country singers sing a romantic opera aria.
And just melt as you imagine them singing it to you.
Consider classy and sweet over steamy in your choice of chick-flick
You might think that watching steamy makeout scenes will cheer you up, but polling data suggests otherwise. My inclination is to think that it might end up making you depressed over the lack of spice in your own life. On the other hand, a more romance-based film like a Jane Austen adaptation could fill you with a sense of elegance and grace that sustains you through this lonely period–filling you with hope rather than desire. Jane Austen provides inspiration, sweet daydreams, and a healthy dash of humor. Treat yourself to something that elevates you and leaves you feeling classy. See timeless classics like Emma, Sense and Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice. Runner ups include Ever After, the live-action Disney Cinderella, or The Importance of Being Earnest.
READ Jane Austen
Did you know Jane Austen never married? She was the queen of finding romance in a single life. Of course, Pride and Prejudice is a classic not to be missed, but you may want to check out some of her other hits, such as this dreamy love letter to Miss Anne Elliot from Captain Wentworth in Persuasion:
“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you.”
Conclusion
Being single is tough, but you’re tough, too! It’s okay to be sad sometimes, but you don’t have to wallow in sorrow or ruin a perfectly good day by throwing a pity party. Remember, the more you practice finding joy when you’re single, the better you’ll be at finding joy when you’re in a relationship. Happy single people become happy married people when the time comes. If you can find beauty and happiness on Valentine’s Day while single, just imagine how much better it’ll be when you do find your special someone.
